Hector - dmg; 1 STR dmg; Align Weapon (Good) (05:16); Remove Fear (05:17); Heroism (06:47); Fly (05:18);
Zoarth (White) - dmg;
Tytus - dmg; Heroism (06:10); Shield of Faith (05:16); Monstrous Physique - Gargoyle (05:22); Mutagen (06:47); See Invisible (06:47); Longarm (05:17); Death Ward (05:22); Greater Invis (r11); studied Purple;
Heccan - 30 dmg; Mage Armor (15:12); Cat's Grace (05:22); Shield (r10); Mirror Image (5, 05:22)
Orange - dmg;
Yellow - 14 dmg;
Navy - 18 dmg; Slow (r11);
Green - dmg; Slow (r8); grappled;
Pink - 47 dmg; Prayer (r11);
Caduceus - 44 dmg; life link on all; Longstrider (05:37);
Anen - dmg; Overland Flight 40' (10:00); Mage Armor (05:30); Resist Cold 20 (06:47); Mirror Image (7, 05:22);
Beshtu (Black) - 75 dmg; Slow (r11);
Triceratops - 40 dmg; Slow (r11); Mind Fog (2d6r after leaving); Confused (locked on Anen, r12);
Anen hurls a ball of fire at his foes.
Black, recognizing that an invisible foe has attacked him, swings at Tytus...
... but has no luck.
The confused Triceratops, recognizing that it has been attacked by Anen, tries to head in his direction, only to find its path blocked by the stone wall...
... it bashes his head against the wall but to no avail.
With Green entangled in his web, Zoarth takes advantage to send a ray of fire towards Yellow.
Hector, Tytus, and Heccan are up!
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Seeing the nearest giant entangled in a giant web (har har), and Zoarth taking shots at the one across the hall, Hector charges to the opposite balcony, attacking the giant there (orange).
Spend 1 panache point and expend 1 AoO to:
vs. Enemy attack roll
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Heccan and his doubles look frantically about the battle. Sweat pouring from his brow he looks concerned but determined. The Chelaxian closes his eyes and grits his teeth. He begins to mutter loudly, words from the lower planes barely audible.
Heccan cries out in clear anguish as his arms raise. From the depths of the none layers of hell, a column of fire descends on the attacking giants.
Hellfire (Sp): At 9th level, you can call down a column of hellfire. This 10-foot-radius burst does 1d6 points of fire damage per sorcerer level. Those caught in the area of your blast receive a Reflex save for half damage. Good creatures that fail their saves are shaken for a number of rounds equal to your sorcerer level. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + 1/2 your sorcerer level + your Charisma modifier. At 9th level, you can use this ability once per day. At 17th level, you can use this ability \ twice per day. At 20th level, you can use this ability three times per day. This power has a range of 60 feet.
Hector - 42 dmg; 1 STR dmg; Align Weapon (Good) (05:16); Remove Fear (05:17); Heroism (06:47); Fly (05:18); charging;
Zoarth (White) - dmg;
Tytus - dmg; Heroism (06:10); Shield of Faith (05:16); Monstrous Physique - Gargoyle (05:22); Mutagen (06:47); See Invisible (06:47); Longarm (05:17); Death Ward (05:22); Greater Invis (r11); studied Purple;
Heccan - 25 dmg; Mage Armor (15:12); Cat's Grace (05:22); Shield (r10); Mirror Image (5, 05:22)
Orange - 16 dmg;
Yellow - 14 dmg;
Navy - 48 dmg; Slow (r11);
Green - dmg; Slow (r8);
Pink - 84 dmg; Prayer (r11);
Caduceus - 54 dmg; life link on all; Longstrider (05:37);
Anen - dmg; Overland Flight 40' (10:00); Mage Armor (05:30); Resist Cold 20 (06:47); Mirror Image (7, 05:22);
Beshtu (Black) - 105 dmg; Slow (r11);
Triceratops - 70 dmg; Slow (r11); Mind Fog (2d6r after leaving); Confused (locked on Anen or Heccan, r12);
Hector charges across the hall at Orange, who swings at him as he approaches...
... who finally manages to hit the charging warrior. Hector repays him with a stab of his rapier.
Tytus invisibly bashes pink twice, leaving the poor giant reeling, but still standing.
Heccan calls forth the very fires of hell to burn their enemies...
... and none of them are quick enough to avoid the full force of the rain of fire. Beyond the stone wall, the looming face of the confused triceratops can be seen squinting with malice at the many Heccans.
Orange steps back 5' from Hector and swings his greatclub at him twice...
... Hector parries the first blow, which would have missed in any case, but is unable to riposte due the giant being out of his reach.
... while the giant's second blow luckily hits home, though it does not manage to harm any of Hector's vital organs.
Yellow runs down the gallery to seek to reinforce his comrades.
Navy continues to slowly bash at the stone wall...
... widening the hole he had already started. Then he steps 5' halfway through the portal he's created.
Green continues to slowly struggle against the webbing that binds him...
... and this time he manages to tear himself free!
Pink continues his relentless assault upon Caduceus...
... but this time both of his blows are, luckily, far off the mark.
Caduceus and Anen are up!
Hector - 42 dmg; 1 STR dmg; Align Weapon (Good) (05:16); Remove Fear (05:17); Heroism (06:47); Fly (05:18); charging;
Zoarth (White) - dmg;
Tytus - dmg; Heroism (06:10); Shield of Faith (05:16); Monstrous Physique - Gargoyle (05:22); Mutagen (06:47); See Invisible (06:47); Longarm (05:17); Death Ward (05:22); Greater Invis (r11); studied Purple;
Heccan - 25 dmg; Mage Armor (15:12); Cat's Grace (05:22); Shield (r10); Mirror Image (5, 05:22)
Orange - 16 dmg;
Yellow - 14 dmg;
Navy - 82 dmg; Slow (r11);
Green - dmg; Slow (r8);
Caduceus - 54 dmg; life link on all; Longstrider (05:37);
Anen - dmg; Overland Flight 40' (10:00); Mage Armor (05:30); Resist Cold 20 (06:47); Mirror Image (7, 05:22);
Beshtu (Black) - 139 dmg; Slow (r11);
Triceratops - 70 dmg; Slow (r11); Mind Fog (2d6r after leaving); Confused (locked on Anen or Heccan, r12);
Anen drops another fireball upon the giants, who are undoubtedly getting tired of fire raining upon them.
The blast kills Pink outright, while leaving the other two standing, but wounded.
Caduceus is up!
Hector - 42 dmg; 1 STR dmg; Align Weapon (Good) (05:16); Remove Fear (05:17); Heroism (06:47); Fly (05:18); charging;
Zoarth (White) - dmg;
Tytus - dmg; Heroism (06:10); Shield of Faith (05:16); Monstrous Physique - Gargoyle (05:22); Mutagen (06:47); See Invisible (06:47); Longarm (05:17); Death Ward (05:22); Greater Invis (r11); studied Purple;
Heccan - 25 dmg; Mage Armor (15:12); Cat's Grace (05:22); Shield (r10); Mirror Image (5, 05:22)
Orange - 16 dmg;
Yellow - 14 dmg;
Navy - 82 dmg; Slow (r11);
Green - 9 dmg; Slow (r8);
Caduceus - 54 dmg; life link on all; Longstrider (05:37);
Anen - dmg; Overland Flight 40' (10:00); Mage Armor (05:30); Resist Cold 20 (06:47); Mirror Image (7, 05:22);
Beshtu (Black) - 149 dmg; Slow (r11);
Triceratops - 70 dmg; Slow (r11); Mind Fog (r12); Confused (locked on Anen or Heccan, r12);
Caduceus lashes out, striking Black once.
The wounded Black attempts to retaliate.
But Urazra, or whomever she worships, is not with her today.
The confused triceratops bashes at the wall, trying to get to those who attacked it...
... it finally manages to create an opening and steps part way through, which, incidentally, finally gets it out of the fog.
Zoarth draws a wand and uses it to send a bolt of lightning through the Green giant threatening him atop the enormous statue. The bolt narrowly avoids Hector, though this doesn't appear to have been intentional targeting on Zoarth's part.
The Green giant seems to dodge much of the bolt, however.
Hector, Tytus, and Heccan are up!
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Heccan, short of breath from his last use of his innate power, shakes his head as he draws a rod from his pack. "Resilient beasts. Need more time over the fire then."
Using the rod and focusing on his fellow agents in harms way, he unleashes another burst fire. It flares in the confined space, engulfing the giants and the rampaging dino but the flames mysteriously merely swirl about Tytus and Canduceous.
Heccan, short of breath from his last use of his innate power, shakes his head as he draws a rod from his pack. "Resilient beasts. Need more time over the fire then."
Using the rod and focusing on his fellow agents in harms way, he unleashes another burst fire. It flares in the confined space, engulfing the giants and the rampaging dino but the flames mysteriously merely swirl about Tytus and Canduceous.
[dice=Fireball REF v. DC 20 for half]10d6
Hector - 37 dmg; 1 STR dmg; Align Weapon (Good) (05:16); Remove Fear (05:17); Heroism (06:47); Fly (05:18); charging;
Zoarth (White) - dmg;
Tytus - dmg; Heroism (06:10); Shield of Faith (05:16); Monstrous Physique - Gargoyle (05:22); Mutagen (06:47); See Invisible (06:47); Longarm (05:17); Death Ward (05:22); Greater Invis (r11); studied Black;
Heccan - 20 dmg; Mage Armor (15:12); Cat's Grace (05:22); Shield (r10); Mirror Image (5, 05:22)
Orange - 45 dmg;
Yellow - 14 dmg;
Green - 9 dmg; Slow (r8);
Caduceus - 64 dmg; life link on all; Longstrider (05:37);
Anen - dmg; Overland Flight 40' (10:00); Mage Armor (05:30); Resist Cold 20 (06:47); Mirror Image (7, 05:22);
Triceratops - 102 dmg; Slow (r11); Mind Fog (r12); Confused (locked on Anen or Heccan, r12);
Tytus steps backwards and then delivers a knockout blow to the enormous dino-rider - Black falls!
Hector misses once, but his other blow against Orange deals him a critical wound.
Heccan unleashes yet another ball of fire amidst the poor giants...
... which vaporizes Navy, but leaves the triceratops only more angry than before.
Orange steps back 5' and swings twice at Hector...
... but the giants are clearly outclassed.
Yellow rushes down the stairs.
Green slowly swings at the towering cloud giant...
... to no effect.
Caduceus and Anen are both up!
Hector - 37 dmg; 1 STR dmg; Align Weapon (Good) (05:16); Remove Fear (05:17); Heroism (06:47); Fly (05:18); charging;
Zoarth (White) - dmg;
Tytus - dmg; Heroism (06:10); Shield of Faith (05:16); Monstrous Physique - Gargoyle (05:22); Mutagen (06:47); See Invisible (06:47); Longarm (05:17); Death Ward (05:22); Greater Invis (r11); studied Black;
Heccan - 7 dmg; Mage Armor (15:12); Cat's Grace (05:22); Shield (r10); Mirror Image (5, 05:22)
Orange - 45 dmg;
Yellow - 14 dmg;
Green - 9 dmg; Slow (r8);
Caduceus - 44 dmg; life link on all; Longstrider (05:37);
Anen - dmg; Overland Flight 40' (10:00); Mage Armor (05:30); Resist Cold 20 (06:47); Mirror Image (7, 05:22); on delay;
Triceratops - 115 dmg; Slow (r11); Mind Fog (r12); Confused (locked on Anen, Heccan, or Caduceus r12); dazzled (r8); charging;
Caduceus heals himself and Heccan, while also blistering the triceratops with divine power.
The already confused, slowed, mind-fogged, and badly wounded dinosaur squints its dinosaur eyes at Caduceus, its latest and closest tormentor, and lumbers forward, in a slow, but powerful, charge.
+
With the battle of the Central Hall concluded the invasion of the castle appears, finally, to be over. A curious sense of calm and quiet settles over the area that had been, only a few moments previously, such a scene of carnage. The cloud giant climbs down from the enormous statue and settles himself into an enormous easy chair to catch his breath.
"Well, that was exciting, wasn't it? I have no idea who you all are, but I am grateful for your arrival. You came at a most opportune moment!" As he speaks, cats, numerous cats, begin to come out of hiding and crawl all over him. Some of the braver ones cautiously check out the pathfinders, but most are skittish. The giant strokes his snow-white beard and manages a smile. “Whoever you are, you have my thanks. I am Zoarth, known to some as the Sky Mage. Welcome to my home. How is that you are here, at my time of greatest need? And what’s more, do you know why these brutes have assaulted me in my quiet and peaceful studies?”
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Heccan stands, wiping his brow and running a hand through his mess of hair. Upon seeing the giant, he seems to regain a measure of his composure.
"Hail and well met, Master Zorath. My name is Heccan Abraxi, I, as well as my most able and capable companions, are here at the behest of the Pathfinder Society. We came here to beseech you, on behalf of our most noble cause of discovery, to aid us in a ritual. The fates were with us all, it seems, for our quest brought us in the path of these villains. As to their motivations, I cannot say. Perhaps we shall find something of worth on their miserable corpses."
Heccan takes a breath and continues. "As for our motivations, Master Zorath, they are quite simple. We need your help with a ritual to unlock a potent tomb. We need you to help us open...the Book of the Titan!"
Zoarth takes in the comments and questions from the group in a jovial manner. He seems to be in a good mood after his close call with the invaders, and it's clear that he appreciates the polite and diplomatic tones of these new visitors far more than the previous ones.
"Of course I can help you with the Book of Titan ritual - you came to the right place for a task like that, no doubt about it." He looks troubled for a moment. "But I'm afraid, as much as I'd like to help, I simply can't get absorbed in all that esoterica when another team of invaders may be on its way. First, I'll have to figure out who attacked me, and why. I don't suppose you'd like to help with that? You've already proven yourselves to be quite handy, especially for ones so erm, uh, well... small, as yourselves!"
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Heccan, tired as he is, manages an energetic smile masking a mix of exhaustion and annoyance. "Of course, Master Zorath. The least we can do keep your focus on the task at hand. However, may I beg a kindness? We are a bit drained from our battle and, myself most of all I am sure, need a bit of shelter to rest and regain our focus." Heccan looks about the field of felled giants. He grins again, this time a bit more enthusiastically "I don't suppose we left one of them alive, did we? After a bit of a rest, I would enjoy to have a nice little conversation with about their interests here. And, I promise, it will not be a pleasant one."
Zoarth laughs jovially. "My goodness, of course you can rest here! Why, my castle might have crashed on a mountainside if not for you. Indeed, I should reward you in some manner, isn't that how you little people do things? Now hum hum, where did I put them, oh yes, over in this cabinet..." The enormous giant pulls out a basket of vials and decanters and plops it on the floor before the group. "Recently I've been dabbling a bit with potion-making - it's quite a valuable wizarding skill, don't you know - and I have these samples of my work. Perhaps you would like some?"
As for the fallen hill giants, unfortunately, the only one who might have known much, Beshtu the triceratops rider, is quite dead. The others are as stupid and obnoxious as you would expect a platoon of decimated hill giants to be. However, looking at their garb, Zoarth says, "Although I have no idea why they've attacked me, or who might have sent them, it seems likely that these hill giants come from the hills to the north. It shouldn't be hard to retrace their trail."
The fallen enemies' gear is generally uninteresting to the pathfinders since none of them are giant-sized, except for the blade of Beshtu's greatsword, which bears the engraving, "Let’s see your cats save you from this."
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And what’s more, do you know why these brutes have assaulted me in my quiet and peaceful studies?”
Finally getting his breath back, the paladin introduces himself. "Well met. I am Caduceus Via. Unfortunately, all we know for certain is that a group of giants on the road not only knew of assault on your home, but the timing of it as well*. Someone organized this attack."
"Aye, a damn shame to leave fine morsels like this for the vultures to eat, but we's best get up there before there's nuthin' left t' loot! 'Sides, I reckon his kitchen'll have plenty o' good vittles fer us."
"Agreed, Master Via, agreed, though I cannot begin to tell you why. Perhaps you can figure it out for me?"
...
Despite the wreckage of the castle, Zoarth is able to pull together a decent evening meal for all of you - his kitchen is indeed well-stocked with the finest "vittles" - though his cutlery is so large as to be unusable. Cats of every variety hover about, making sure that they get their share of the repast and it's clear that the rather absent-minded wizard giant is genuinely fond of them. "Good company, they are," he says, scratching one under the chin.
...
In the morning, Zoarth wishes the group luck in hunting down the hill giants. "This lot look to me like they probably came from the hills to the north. It's not too far - maybe about a hundred miles, I reckon. There's quite a few of 'em over there - I couldn't tell you exactly how to get there - never been myself - but I'd be surprised if they were particularly subtle about covering their tracks. That's not really how hill giants tend to operate, and especially when they're also riding around on dinosaurs!"
"While you're gone, I'll see if I can work out the details of the ritual of the Book of the Titan - it doesn't look like it should be too difficult, though perhaps time consuming. But it will give me a nice distraction from cleaning up all this mess!"
Just as the group is starting back down the long spiraling path to the ground, however, Zoarth calls them back, a bit sheepishly. "Oh yes, I knew I was forgetting something. Do be on the lookout as you go. You've already shown that you are more than a match for some hill giants, so I'm not worried for you, but the route there does pass through the hunting grounds of a massive dragon. I don't know much about him - he doesn't seem to be either metallic nor chromatic - but, well, he's still a dragon. Honestly, I doubt you'll even see him, but if you do, my suggestion is to just avoid him altogether. Or I suppose you could always flee if you have to... Anyway, that's all, probably shouldn't have even said anything, don't want to worry you while you're out and about, but there you have it... Well, then, have a good trip and see you when you get back!"
...
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Heccan sits down for the meal and is genuine please with the offerings. He smiles, makes several jokes at the expense of his comrades and doubly more at his. The Chelaxian drinks far more than his share of wine and much more than a man of his size and stature should be able to consume, and surprisingly appears as sober as when he started.
"Ah, Master Zorath. That was without a doubt the finest meal I have had in ages. Brings me back to my days of debauchery in the halls of Egorian. All the words in my expansive repertoire cannot accurately express my gratitude."
--
Heccan readies himself for the journey, getting into his finest travelling close. Pack slung, he makes his way with the others. Upon hearing Zorath's admonition, he stops cold. "Wait. What? A dragon? I see..." The sorcerer mutters under his breath. "That was never part of this deal. I do hope if they wyrm crosses our path it is a reasonable sort."
The group sets out, Zoarth's warning ringing in their ears. The trail leads to the northwest. Most of the terrain the pathfinders must cross is at first mountainous; it later turns into a barren, rocky wasteland with occasional broad, thick copses of conifers that spread across hilltops and down into ravines. Cold winds blow across gray skies and tear at everything in the open terrain. Sleet and freezing rain are common companions.
Following the giants’ trail presents few difficulties. Their size alone makes their tracks and other signs of passage obvious, and of course the brutes marauded as they traveled, leaving a trail of burned cabins, crushed crofts, and occasional scenes of widespread slaughter. Although homes and farms are rare here, those the pathfinders come upon have been raided and destroyed. The pathfinders also encounter a few surviving farmers, herders, or trappers who attest to the direction of the giants’ march.
The travel is uneventful for the first three days, but on the fourth day...
In the distance is a dark shape above the horizon. It is serpentine and winds its way across the sky, wingless. It must be close to sixty feet long, with grayish-brown flesh like the rocky crags all around it. The creature has a massive reptilian head with black, angular horns and a single pair of claws. Scales like crusty armored plates cover its body. Most of the beast appears to be a long tail that ends in three spiky tendrils.
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Thinking back a few days, "Have we not learned from last time? The fight we avoided on the road only made the castle more deadly. No, I say we try and deal with this here and now, whilst there are no other battles to be had." He continues, his voice ringing with conviction. "There may be few souls living here, but they are entitled to the same protection as any other. We must face this creature and take its measure. Should we find it to be morally corrupt, we will end the threat before it can harm other." The paladin draws his blade as he drops to one knee, "Please, pray with me a moment."
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Heccan's eyes go wide at the sight of the distant flying dragon. "By the laws! It is so...massive. I mean I have of heard tales their size but, by the nine, seeing it in the flesh is something else entirely." Heccan hears Via and nods "Sure. No harm to be had," Heccan glances at the approaching wyrm, "at least not yet."
As the brave paladin invokes the blessings of Iomedae, the enormous wyrm's ears appear to perk up and the beast makes an angled turn, heading towards the group!